Worksop lecturers’ comedy show appears on BBC Three

A comedy show created by two lecturers at a college in Worksop is appearing on BBC Three.

‘Big Field’, written by creative design lecturer Darren Dutton, aged 42, and art and design lecturer Jonny Roberts, 45, both at North Nottinghamshire College, was launched on YouTube last year, with two videos getting more than 20,000 views.

The pair have now been working with BBC Three to make five episodes which are available to view online.

The format involves actors miming along to old and new television programmes and tapes and then re-editing audio over the top, all from a field.

“The show did really well on YouTube last year and then we were approached by BBC Three,” Darren, said. “They asked us to make some more and we started filming in February.

“I have done some comedy stuff before but this show was the one that I really wanted to make.”

The show also has a quirky twist, with all the props used being recycled and bought off Ebay for less than £1.

“We were just trying to find things cheaply,” Darren said. “We were trying to find things on a very small budget. We liked the idea of finding things for under a £1 and seeing what we could with them.”

Not only has ‘Big Field’ received a positive reaction from the college’s students, but it has also got the backing from the likes of Matt Lucas, Peter Serafinowicz and Bob Mortimer.

Darren said: “Generally the students like it. It is a bit strange for them because it is their teacher on a television show but they appreciate it and they are able to see how a programme gets made.”

The new episodes in the second series will still feature the original cast of Darren, Jonny, Matthew Hurrell, Beverly Pack and Alison Ward, alongside experienced comedy actors Shelley Longworth, Alex Lowe, Lucy Montgomery and Tony Way.

“Generally it has been a lot of fun to make,” Darren added. “Apart from the weather. There is an episode where I am stood in the middle of a field in February and I remember how cold I was.

“I would like to make some more but we also feel like we could make something longer too.”

‘Big Field’ can be viewed on BBC Three’s website and YouTube. n For information about courses at the college, visit www.nnc.ac.uk